Dave Grohl Delivers Surprise “Under Pressure” Performance For Benefit Fundraiser
Dave Grohl in 2014 - The Howard Stern Show / YouTube
Although Dave Grohl is no stranger to packed tour calendars and studio sessions, 2025 has been relatively low-key—at least on paper. After leading the Foo Fighters through their Everything or Nothing at All Tour in 2024 and dropping But Here We Are in 2023, fans expected the frontman to take a step back. Still, Grohl has proven that even in his downtime, he’s never too far from the stage.
Earlier this year, Grohl turned heads with a surprise appearance at Coachella, reminding everyone of his unpredictable nature. Not long after, he joined the lineup for the FireAid benefit concert, showcasing his continued dedication to causes beyond music. While official tour dates remain unannounced, Grohl’s spontaneity has become a performance style of its own.
The most recent of these pop-up performances came at a benefit event in Avalon Hollywood, organized by the Oakwood School. Without prior promotion, Grohl made his entrance and brought a few notable friends along for the ride. What followed was a short but electric set that felt more like a private party than a formal show.
Cover Songs and Heartfelt Moments
The Avalon crowd expected a night of fundraising and community—but what they got was a bonus mini-concert from rock royalty. Dave Grohl took the stage with longtime collaborators John Lousteau, Wiley Hodgden, and Rami Jaffee. With no flashy setup or elaborate production, the set leaned into raw energy and good vibes.
Grohl kicked things off with a raucous rendition of LCD Soundsystem’s “Daft Punk Is Playing at My House,” setting the tone for an eclectic and nostalgic evening. The momentum carried into a crowd-pleasing version of The Knack’s “My Sharona,” proving that the Foo Fighters’ frontman knows how to work a room with little more than a guitar and a grin.
But the emotional highlight came when Grohl launched into Queen and David Bowie’s “Under Pressure.” The surprise didn’t end there—toward the finale, singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb joined Grohl onstage for a performance of Bowie’s “Moonage Daydream.” The audience, already stunned, soaked in the magical ending to a night they never expected.
Still Haunted, Still Inspired
Despite Grohl’s cheerful stage presence and legendary status, the shadow of his past often walks with him. After Nirvana’s tragic end in 1994, Grohl faced a crossroads few can imagine. “I didn’t really have a plan,” he told the BBC years later. “You just wake up every day thinking, ‘Who am I, where am I, what am I doing?’”
Though Grohl emerged from that darkness to form one of the most successful rock bands of the modern era, the memories remain vivid. In interviews, he’s frequently recalled the complexity of his friendship with Kurt Cobain. Their time living together in Olympia, Washington, was marked by a strange but strong bond, grounded in mutual understanding and quiet compassion.
Grohl has said Cobain was emotionally distant, but never cruel—a sensitive soul behind the heavy music. As much as Grohl has moved forward, there’s a clear throughline between his past and present. Whether playing at sold-out arenas or intimate benefit shows, there’s always a part of Grohl performing for someone who isn’t there.
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A Legacy Beyond the Stage
Grohl’s appearance at the Oakwood School wasn’t just about the music—it was a reminder of the spirit that’s defined his entire career. From Nirvana’s grunge legacy to the Foo Fighters’ anthemic sound, Grohl has always found ways to bring people together. His willingness to perform at small events like this benefit shows that his sense of purpose isn’t tied to ticket sales or headlining slots.
The choice of covers that night, especially “Under Pressure,” speaks volumes about his outlook. It’s a song about tension, struggle, and empathy—themes that resonate across his journey as an artist and a person. Inviting Lisa Loeb for the final song added an extra layer of warmth to the night, fusing star power with genuine connection.
At nearly every turn, Grohl continues to blend showmanship with sincerity. In an era where fame often means detachment, he remains approachable, surprising, and profoundly human. The Avalon performance may not make headlines the way a tour does, but for those in attendance, it was a moment that echoed far louder than expected.
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